Turlock Youth Performing Arts Senior Company will revive the classic story of sharpshooter Annie Oakley this weekend with their production of “Annie Get your Gun.”
“Annie Get Your Gun” is the fictionalized story of young Annie Oakley who is discovered by a Wild West show and becomes famous for her shooting abilities. She falls in love with Frank Butler, and Annie and Frank’s love story is the focus of the play.
“It’s your typical love story. They fight, they get back together, they fight again,” said Daniel Terry, who plays Frank Butler.
Janice Anderson, producer and president of TYPA, said that they chose the play for the senior troupe because it was fun and accommodated a large cast. However, she found that most of the performers had never heard of the play.
“It was just foreign to them. Hopefully a new generation will fall in love with the story,” Anderson said.
“Annie Get your gun” was first performed on Broadway in 1946 and has seen several revivals since. Chelsea Horan, who plays Annie in the TYPA production, said that she has seen the movie version of the show but had never read the play.
The sharp-shooting action of “Annie Get Your Gun” is punctuated by Broadway musical numbers. The show is arguably most famous for the song “There’s no Business like Show Business.” TYPA cast members know a thing or two about show business; this is their 15th production in five seasons. This is Horan’s third show with Turlock Youth Performing Arts. She said that she enjoyed acting in “Willy Wonka,” but her favorite role so far has been Frenchy in “Grease,” although she does like playing Annie.
“I get to act like a fool in the opening scene, it’s a lot of fun,” Horan said.
This is Terry’s second play with TYPA. The Pitman High sophomore was a member of the ensemble for “Grease.” He said that going from an ensemble member to lead male role was a little surprising for him. He said that the role is not too challenging, but he has to spend a lot more time memorizing lines.
“It’s definitely a big leap,” Terry said.
The cast and crew of “Annie Get your Gun” have been working on the show since May. Cast members practiced two nights a week over the summer, and are now working on dress rehearsals. All of that preparation will culminate in opening night on Friday.
Show times for “Annie Get Your Gun” are Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. All performances will take place at the Turlock Community Theatre inside the Turlock Unified School District building on Canal Drive. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Yonan’s Jewelry on Geer Road, at the door, or reserved over the phone by calling 537-5227.
To contact Andrea Goodwin, e-mail agoodwin@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2003.
